FAQ
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How do I...
- ship a different version of the JRE than the one shipped with JExpress?
- make the download web pages look like my website?
- create an installer which auto-runs or auto-executes when the CD is inserted?
- display billboards, or marquees, while the installer is running?
- reduce the size of an installer?
- install a JVM without searching the user's system for an existing one?
- set the classpath on my customer's machine?
- set the default installation directory?
- set the directory where the JVM is installed?
- add files and directories?
- name the Windows folder where my menus are added?
- add menus and launch scripts?
- create multiple install types?
- build an installer for my Java servlet?
- setup one installer for multiple programs?
- pass extra parameters on the command line?
- get my installers to have a more modern look?
- change the look and feel for JExpress?
FAQ about customizing your installers and updaters
How do I ship a different version of the JRE than the one shipped with JExpress?
If you want to create a distributable JVM bundle for the OS that JExpress is currently operating on, then start JExpress with the Advanced interface. Move to the JVM tab and click the Create JVM distribution button.
If you want a JVM for a platform that JExpress is not currently operating, follow these instructions to create a distributable jvm for any platform that JExpress supports.
How do I make the download web pages look like my website?
JExpress creates 2 files whenever you build a new installer: index.html download.html. The index.html contains your image and details about the installers (i.e., file size, requirements, etc.).
If you prefer to use your own "look", then you can simply use a server side include and include the download.html that is in the build directory. Or, you can create your own page with frames that includes the download.html.
How do I display billboards, or marquees, while the installer is running?
There is an example class in the Samples directory called StartBillboards. You can simply copy the class file to the JExpressInstaller subdirectory, add a background image file named billboard-jexpress.jpg, and a series of text files named billboard?.txt, where the ? is replaced with a numeric number starting at 1 and continuing sequentially. Each text file will be displayed in order.
The example file starts the billboards as soon as the user enters the installation directory name and clicks Next. If you would like to change the delay between panels, name of the background file, etc. when the billboards start showing, then simply modify the source to StartBillboards.
The image file should be the same width as the width of the image that usually displays. Also, you must make sure that your text files (e.g., billboard1.txt) are no wider than the image file.
The first line of the billboard text files will be centered. If you don't want a centered line, then simply leave the first line blank.
How do I setup one installer for multiple programs?
You have a couple of ways that you can create an installer which installs multiple programs.
Scenario 1: You have
- a single application which
- contains related programs and files
- want all the programs installed into a single directory tree structure, and
- want a single uninstaller created which removes all programs/files
An example of this type of application is JExpress. It contains JExpress Installer and JExpress Updater, etc.. We want all the programs installed into one directory tree. But, we create multiple install subprojects so JExpress can find all the classes for each Java program. Then, we use a master project to create the installer which is distributed to our customers.
You can review the Subproject with Master Project tutorial to learn more about how to build interrelated projects.
Scenario 2: You have
- multiple unrelated programs or components
- want the user to decide which programs to install
- want each program installed in its own directory structure
- want an uninstaller created for each program/component
An example might be that you want to distribute multiple products and let the end user decide which to install.
You can review the Multiple Components tutorial to learn more.
How do I reduce the size of an installer?
If you use the Advanced interface to build your installers, then you can make the installer 400K to 1 Meg smaller by selecting the Native or Metal look and feel on the Appearances panel, instead of using a Custom Theme.
Also, if you require JRE 1.4 or later for your installers, then you can save approximately 2 Megs for native installers with the JVM. You can make sure your native installers require 1.4 or later, by clicking on the JVM tab and filling in 1.4 as the Required Valid JVM version or as the Min valid JVM version. Remember that you want to change all the platforms on the JVM tab so each native platform is smaller.
How do I get my installers to have a more modern look?
First, you must use the Advanced interface to create your installers. Next, you should select Custom look and feel on the Appearances tab. Click the Browse button next to the Custom theme field, and select the modernthemepack.zip from the LFThemes subdirectory.
Be sure to test your installers thoroughly when you use any of the custom themes. We have had 1-2 reports about some platforms that have difficulty supporting these new looks.
How do I change the look and feel for JExpress?
If you are running JExpress on Windows, then load the .properties file from the JExpress subdirectory which matches the program you want to change its look and feel into a text editor. For example, if you want JExpress to use a different L&F, then load JExpress.properties into a text editor.
Change the args property to include a -pack switch at the end of this property with the full path following. For example, if you want to use the MacOS theme pack, then you'd change the args property to look like this:
args=-cp "." com.denova.JExpress.Build.JExpress -pack LFThemes\\macosthemepack.zip
Of course, if the theme pack is in a different directory, then you'd use the correct directory. Remember to use 2 back slashes to separate subdirectories in the .properties field, but not if you are issuing the command from the command line.
If you run JExpress on a Unix machine, then load the launch script (e.g., jexpress) and add the -pack switch to the end of the command line. Don't forget to use a single forward slash to separate the subdirectories. For example,
java -cp . com.denova.JExpress.Build.JExpress -pack LFThemes/macosthemepack.zip
Note: If JExpress no longer starts up, then you'll need to remove the changes. We've had 1-2 reports of platforms that don't support the more modern look. Please send us e-mail with details about your platform if you are unable to use a custom theme.
Also, you cannot use the -pack switch if you are using the unattended build. Of course, what the user interface looks like when it's invisible isn't too important so this shouldn't cramp anyone's style. :)
How do I install a JVM without searching the user's system for an existing one?
Use the Advanced interface and click on the JVM tab. Adjust the search pattern for each desired platform. To learn more about how JExpress searches, click here.
How do I set the default installation directory?
You can specify the default installation directory for your application on the Install panel.
How do I set the directory where the JVM is installed?
Use the Advanced interface and click on the JVM tab. Adjust the JVM install directory.
How do I set the classpath on my customer's machine?
The easiest way is to let JExpress automatically set the runtime classpath. On the Install panel, set the radio button to Automatically. Of course, if you prefer to manually configure the runtime classpath, then you can do that as well. The runtime classpath should always be relative to the installation directory. You should not include absolute pathnames in the runtime classpath.
How do I name the Windows folder where my menus are added?
Enter the name of the folder in the Submenu field on the Menus panel. JExpress adds a folder under Start | Programs with your submenu. All menu items are added to this folder. If you don't want a folder, then leave the Submenu field blank.
How do I pass extra parameters on the command line?
Simply add a -p followed by a space and then the extra parameters on the Pure Java installer's command line. For example, if you want to pass a URL on the command line and the JRE's home directory was /bin/jre, then the command would look like this:
/bin/jre/bin/jre -cp .:[product.name-platform-version].jar com.denova.JExpress.JExpressInstaller -p http://www.denova.com
All parameters following -p are in the extraParameters AV property. You must write a custom panel to extract, parse, and use these parameters.
Currently JExpress only supports passing extra parameters on the command
line with Pure Java installers. If you'd like the ability to support
passing extra parameters with native installers, please send e-mail to
How do I create an installer which auto-runs or auto-executes when the CD is inserted into a Windows machine?
Everytime JExpress builds a native Windows installer, with or without the JVM, the AUTORUN.INF will be included in the build directory. When you create your CD, make sure the Windows installer and AUTORUN.INF files are copied to the CD's root directory.
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